As I’m writing this, schools are closing everywhere due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Music teachers are wondering how to teach elementary music remotely, when only given hours to prepare. Oh yeah… you can listen to the podcast episode to go along with this blog post here.
My goal with everything I do, is to help you beat the overwhelm and to be the most effective music teacher you can be. So, in this post, I’m sharing the best advice, strategies, resources, blog posts, and Facebook groups I’ve found. I’ll keep coming back to update this post as well as I find more awesome content to add to the list.
If you’re reading this and you’re teaching remotely AFTER the COVID-19 virus has died down, this post will still help you tremendously with ideas and tips to teach music effectively.
Advice
Here are a few of my suggestions:
- Look through any composer coloring books, instruments of the orchestra activity books, or other easy to copy or send home activity sheets. Sometimes these older books you have lying around will now be your greatest asset.
- Send home creative writing or drawing assignments that students can just simply do with notebook paper and pencils.
- Chrome music lab is a great free online composing and creativity site, My Singing Monsters has a free app, look at any of the Philharmonic and orchestra websites, and Noteflight has free composing tool (if your students have online capabilities).
- Classics for Kids is another great site your students will love.
- Send home the student recorders and have them practice, the little kiddos can sing nursery rhymes or songs they’ve already learned and remind them to pat the beat or feel the rhythm.
- I know it depends heavily on what your principal is asking you to do, but of course send home writing assignments, but also don’t forget to encourage your students to continue doing active music making. They can record themselves (if they can), or even document that they’re singing, dancing, listening to, or even just enjoying music in some way.
- If your students are missing their program and if you haven’t left school yet, record the students performance and share it with parents.
- Above all else, please remember just to encourage your students to actively make music at home. Parents will be overwhelmed trying to work from home, still parenting younger kids who can’t go to daycare anymore, as well as homeschooling all at the same time. They’re going to do what they can, so leaving it simple is best!
- Check out my “Learn Music with Mrs. Jessica” course here.
Blog posts
These are blog posts that you will find helpful:
- Music Teacher Resources for School Closures by Elizabeth Caldwell
- Remote and E-Learning Activities by Aimee Pfitzner
- Music Lessons During School Closures by Aileen Miracle
- Preparing to Teach Remotely by Smart Music
- Dealing with Stress by me
- 5 Tech Tools to Consider by Midnight Music
- Teaching Music Online Resources and Strategies by F-Flat Books
- Distance Learning: Music At Home by Melissa Stouffer
- Ideas for Teaching Music Remotely by Dr. Stafford
- Teaching Music Remotely by Sing to Kids
- Teaching Elementary Music Online | Distance Learning by Frau Musik
- Remote Learning Resource Round Up by Mrs. Cookies Music Room
- Elementary Music Technology Made Easy by me
- How to Parent and Work from Home by me
Facebook groups
These are the Facebook groups I’ve seen so many music educators posting helpful ideas and tips in:
- The Elementary Music Teacher Community
- Anacrusic Insiders Group
- Music Educators Creating Online Learning
- E-Learning Music Education
Social Media
- Michelle Rose on Instagram. She’s a virtual music teacher and has fantastic ideas to share.
- Matthew Stensrud on YouTube
- David Row weekly Monday night Facebook Live
- My Facebook page live music teacher Zoom chat event
- Follow me on Instagram where I’m re-sharing any amazing other resources I find to my stories
- Music ed Blogs Facebook page
Other Resources
These are some great resources I’ve found that will help you as you transition to teaching remotely:
- Start the School Year Off Right free 5 day challenge
- How to Teach Online free training by Education Closet
- Get Zoom videoconferencing for free
- List of Education Companies Offering Free Access
- Support for Music Distance Learning by I Can Compose
- Teaching Choir Amidst Covid-19 free e-course by Choir Baton
- International Music Education Summit
- Free TeacherVision membership
What resources, lessons, or activities do you have to share? I’d love for you to put them in the comments so other teachers can get ideas too.
An awesome blog on how to teach elementary music in detail. This article provides us true and insightful information regarding it. This article is very helpful. Great blog indeed, will visit again future to read more!!I am sure many people will come to read about it in future.
Hi Jessica!
Thank you so much for your positivity and encouragement to all of us. It is so helpful and uplifting at this time. As teachers, we are born with drive and creativity, but a time like this, I know for me at least, my brain is fried and I am coming up dry with new ideas. So thank you! I wanted to share this AMAZING opportunity for a FREE Professional Development for teachers. It is not specific to us music teachers but I have no doubt we could all use some great tips. The famous Ron Clark Academy is hosting a FREE seminar this Friday, April 24 at 1pm for all teachers. Here is the link for the free registration. Hope this proves useful for someone. Thank you and good luck 🙂
https://ronclarkacademy.com/rcaexponline/